5.5 Nano FOWLR

[AABatteries]

I was just brainstorming and remembered that we have a 5.5g just sitting empty under the sink. So I might try to convince my parents to let me set it up as a SW tank. I know 5.5 wouldn't be a good thing to start with. Anyways plans...

8w of t5. 16w if there's enough room in the hood.
AC 20 or 30 as ref.
arag-alive substrate
No clue about powerhead, many would be too big. The AC may provide enough flow.
5-10lbs of LR

CUC/Stocking

3 turbo snails
5-10 blue leg hermits
goby or two of some sort, probably clown

[Fishguy2727]

Get Christopher Brigthwell's book: The Nano Reef Handbook. Although you are not planning on reef, the concepts will still be important. In general people suggest much larger tanks for saltwater unless the person has a lot of experience. Every little detail is critical in such a small tank.

Most people do reefs in that size tank because there are so few options for other types of livestock. Even things as simple as a mushroom and a couple zoanthids can completely change the look of the tank and not require any more equipment or effort.

[AABatteries]

Okay. I would love to get coral, but the lighting would not allow any, unless I can get the 18w of t5. And I don't think the second t5 will fit. :l Also, are there any other fish that could work? Or any shrimp?

EDIT: I would like to get a different light, but have to keep it low-tech as possible.

[Fishguy2727]

A lot of it depends on who you talk to for what can go in a tank that size. Some people will say yes, others no. I think any of the clown gobies are fine (but some are much harder to care for). Many other gobies are small enough to go in there. Check out liveaquaria.com's nano fish section for some ideas.

There are many species of shrimp, some could fit but would be kind of crowded. Others stay small but are harder to find. I think a peppermint would be okay, some of the smaller and harder to find ones may work too, if you can find them. It also depends on what fish and how many fish you do.

What light fixture are you wanting yo use?
Are you using the plastic hood or a glass canopy?
Have you looked in to other lighting options?

If you use an incandescent fixture you can use a 10 watt 50/50 screw-in compact fluorescent bulb. If you are using a glass canopy you might be able to fit two of those fixtures on there.

[AABatteries]

I'm planning on having a regular plastic hood. Taking out the incandesent fixture thingy inside. And trying to fit 2 8w t5 fixtures in it. If I can fit the 2(18w), that will allow any softie.

EDIT: Something similar to this ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]). Finding a 10k and actinic bulbs that size will be nearly impossible though.

[Fishguy2727]

I would just keep the incandescent and use Coralife 10watt 50/50 screw-in cmpact fluorescents, get a glass canopy, and get a second incandescent fixture. These bulbs are good. They are 10,000K and actinic in one.

[Tigerbarb]

This sounds like an interesting project. Keep us updated!

[AABatteries]

There is another slot in the hood for a incandesent socket with the reflector. But I can't find one. I'm thinking of buying another hood just to take out the socket and reflector and stick it in. Its a 16" All-Glass hood btw.

[Fishguy2727]

Yeah, there is extra space, but depending on the length of the bulb you use you can't put them end to end, they need to go next to each other.

[cocoa_pleco]

i wouldnt do a clownfish, even the smaller ones need at least 10g

[AABatteries]

There's plenty of room. I'll figure out something. I have plenty of time to do that.

EDIT: To cocoa, I was referring to a clown goby.

[AABatteries]

Pictures!

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
^ Flash, light off.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
^ No flash, light on. Its a little blurry, had to us a a chair, didn't have the tri-pod.

Yeah, it needs a little cleaning. I'll get to that.

[AABatteries]

Changes/additions to the plan...

API Master Saltwater Test Kit
glass hood
AC 50
hydrometer

[travie]

If you are planning to have future SW tanks, I would just go for a refractometer now and forget about the hydrometer. Search eBay, I found my refractometer for 14.50 plus shipping new.

[cocoa_pleco]

ditto. my refrac was $25, $10 more than a hydrometer in a store and 10x more reliable

[AABatteries]

If you are planning to have future SW tanks, I would just go for a refractometer now and forget about the hydrometer. Search eBay, I found my refractometer for 14.50 plus shipping new.

I was looking at that one a while back. I'll probably get it.

[Fishguy2727]

They have lights that will actually fit the tank.

[cocoa_pleco]

They have lights that will actually fit the tank.

ditto, when i had a 5.5g i used a 2x8w T5 that fit the tank, but this works too

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[coachfraley]

ohhhhhhhh, that coralife light would look sweet!

You could make a nice zoa garden with that light!

[AABatteries]

Wouldn't I be able to have a zoa garden under the 15w of t8? That about 3wpg. Of course, I would have to get a 50/50 bulb. I would definitely ugrade the light later. But I just want to be allowed to start with something.

EDIT: I was looking at this ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) light. I would have to DIY something to put the light over the tank. But can make DIY 3x9w t5 or 2x9w for about $35. Finding actinic bulbs that size is hard though.

[Fishguy2727]

If you are going to DIY convert to T5 you might as well not buy a new fixture like that. You can make a wooden box to mount individual T5 bulbs w/ reflectors and end caps in.

[AABatteries]

I know. That's for if I don't do DIY. I won't upgrade lights for at least a month after its going, since I will have no need for them.

[AABatteries]

As of now, this project is on hold, because my parents. Only allowed have 6 tanks set-up at once in the house. And We have 6. My bro might tear down his 10 though. So we could set-up another tank. Might do a 40g breeder SW, if parents allow. If that's a no then my old 20H. And then if that's a no, I'll try this. If we do one of the others, I'll see if I could set this up as a QT. So for a while nothing will be happening.

[coachfraley]

You will have WAY more fun with a 20 or a 40!

A 5.5 nano would be very limiting.

[cocoa_pleco]

40g breeder would be best

[AABatteries]

Okay, my mom said we might seriously condisider it in a month or so. Just have to hope dad okays it.

[Fishguy2727]

Start reading now. If you shows you stay interested and are willing to put in the effort to research they are more likely to say yes.

[AABatteries]

I've put my share of time into when I was planning on making my old 20g a SW. I'll definitely have to bruss up on it when its a 100% yes. I was telling my mom all about it for an hour. She said yes, but then my dad shot it down like most things I want to do.